My Spanish Mustang gelding, Rio, is pretty stoic; it takes a lot for him to complain. When I realized the saddle he’d been wearing for years no longer fit him properly, it was because he finally let me know....
Many horse owners understand the term colic to mean abdominal pain in horses. Although there are several causes of colic, equine impaction colics are one of the most frequently encountered types. Let’s take a closer look at this common...
Summer often allows more time for travel with your horse, which can also mean spending time at different barns where horses might try to mingle. This may seem harmless, but being on the road can put your horse at...
Many of the mysteries of the equine gastrointestinal (GI) tract have yet to be solved. Still, we can say with confidence that the horse’s GI tract has worked pretty well for millennia. But what makes it function smoothly? A...
Rabies doesn’t always come in the form of a drooling, snarling, biting dog. Sometimes, especially in horses, this deadly disease presents itself quietly and mimics other conditions. Although equine rabies is relatively rare, it’s a silent killer. Not only...
Feet are the foundation of the horse; everything starts from the bottom up.“There is more blood supply to the horse’s feet than to his brain,” says Raul J. Bras, DVM, a veterinarian and Certified Journeyman Farrier in the podiatry...
Equine botulism toxicity was a grim diagnosis. Cathy and I tried to reassure each other as the expensive antitoxin was administered to Hans at the veterinary hospital. Equine botulism toxin works in a very specific way, binding itself to...
My mentor and friend Dr. George Platt had been an equine vet for 43 years. I was in my third year of practice and had just confirmed a 13-hand pregnant pony had accidentally been bred to an 18-hand Belgian...
Dental care and barn time may seem unrelated, but unexpected tooth pain leads to a scramble to see the dentist. As humans, it’s tempting to equate our horse’s dental needs to our own—but is it that simple?Here, a veterinarian...
Don't let horse allergies hinder your riding plans this spring.We've all been there. It's a spring day of good weather, perfect for a ride. As you amble to the barn to saddle up, you hear coughing. Turning the corner,...
